Big, deep and blue, Crowsnest Lake lies just east of the Continental Divide and the Alberta-B.C. border, flanked by CP Rail on one shore and Hwy. 3 on the other. Lake trout, rainbow and whitefish inhabit the lake, though on some days you might wonder if there is anything at all. Crowsnest can be a challenge and can skunk the most determined of anglers. Persistence pays off, though. Catch one of the larger lake trout and the effort is worthwhile. This big lake is practical for boat fishing only or ice fishing in winter. The steeply plunging bottom and frequency of strong westerly winds can make wading or casting from shore dangerous. Caution is warranted on the water, too, since the wind is often fierce, making it easy to get caught unprepared by changing weather. The surrounding mountains form a natural wind tunnel, sometimes making the lake a one-way paddle across for canoeists. The lake is stocked annually with rainbow trout. Lake trout were transplanted long ago, displacing native cutthroat trout. LAKE ACCESS Nestled in the Rockies in the Crowsnest Pass, the lake is accessible 150 km west of Lethbridge along Hwy. 3. Crowsnest Lake is approximately 240 km southwest of Calgary. Take Hwy. 22 south and turn right (west) at the intersection with Hwy. 3. The lake is located on the north side of Hwy. 3. A boat launch is available just off the highway at the southwest end of the lake.

Primitive gravel boat launch. Good place to recover your boat etc if the wind is too strong to get back to the west boat launch. Water and ramp is typically shallow.

Relatively nice boat launch with lots of parking for trailers. Don't put your trailer in too deep when the water is low as it will roll off the end of the concrete ramps. Sometimes there is a food cart that sell hot dogs etc during the summer.